The Relationship of Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction and Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Dysfunction: A...

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) has been increasingly acknowledged as an important contributor to myocardial ischemia and unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes. However, whether CMD is associated with impairment in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess differences in LV systolic and diastolic parameters between patients with CMD and controls.

A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for observational studies reporting LV systolic and diastolic parameters in patients with CMD and controls. Pooled analyses were performed for GLS, GCS, GRS, LVEF, LAVI, E/A, E', and E/E' using random-effects models.

In total, 22 studies involving 2473 patients with CMD and 3118 controls were included. Compared with controls, the CMD group showed significantly lower GLS (MD = -0.97, p = 0.004), although substantial heterogeneity was present (I² = 91.9%; τ² = 1.39). No substantial differences between groups were observed for GCS, GRS, or LVEF. LAVI was markedly elevated in the CMD group (SMD = 0.19, p = 0.002), exhibiting low heterogeneity (I² = 0.0%; τ² = 0.00). E/E' showed a numerically higher trend in CMD patients (SMD = 0.31, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.63; p = 0.064), although this finding did not achieve statistical significance. Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 93.5%; τ² = 0.34). No significant differences were identified in E/A or E'.

CMD was associated, on average, with lower GLS and higher LAVI, whereas E/E' tended to be higher but remained non-significant, with confidence intervals including the null and considerable between-study heterogeneity. These findings may provide supportive evidence of early LV involvement in patients with CMD despite preserved LVEF, although the GLS result should be interpreted cautiously given the marked heterogeneity.